I have this friend. And he is always talking about doing at least one ridiculous and crazy thing every day. Whenever he talks about it, that Mary Oliver quote pops up in my head:
"Tell me what is it you plan to do with your one, wild, and precious life?"
So last Thursday I got real crazy and joined the local Lululemon Run Club (see photo below) on a trail run through Hyland Hills ski area in Bloomington. And I mean "ski area" as in "downhill skiing and ski-jumping". So the inclines were nothing to shake a finger at. Fair to say it was the most challenging and humbling run on record for me. I showed up at 6:15 not wanting to be late for the 6:30 start time. I waited in my car, listening to MPR and silently dreading what was about to happen. My ego got the better of me and I kept thinking how my credibility as a fitness instructor would be shot if I couldn't keep up to the group. I set myself up for failure before even getting out of my car.
We started the run and immediately were climbing hills. My shoes were soaked through in a matter of minutes and I very quickly established the "beginners group" at the rear of the pack. We ran for about 10 minutes, then the group convened so everyone could catch their breath before taking off again. Now, the drawback to being the last to finish is that, when you get to the rally point, everyone is ready to go and you are still catching your breath. No rest for the wicked I suppose... The group continued to get further and further ahead of me and, as they disappeared from view, my confidence and willpower sank below healthy levels. I got angry and competitive. I wanted so badly to prove I could do this but my legs just wouldn't move the way I wanted them to.
Eventually, realizing I was struggling, a friend (one of the group's fearless leaders) dropped back and jogged with me for a bit. He was making silly jokes, giving me pointers on form, offering some company. And what did I do? Nothing but complain.
We made it back to the parking lot after 4 miles and about 45 minutes. I finished the run with a smile on my face but my legs were numb, my feet like lead, and I promised myself that I would NEVER be back. We all stuck around to have a cup of coffee and visit and then one by one headed off to work. As soon as I got home, there was an email in my inbox from another friend who is just starting her own fitness routine by walking every morning. She wrote:
"Alright, I did it. Well, so far anyway. I have been up
everyday this week and gone on a nice sweaty walk before getting ready
for work and today... Are you ready for this.. I jogged three times! The
total time may have only been a minute, but I jogged! This is crazy
because I have always despised running. I'm not built for it number one,
it makes me breathe heavy and I get headaches. But I kept doing it
today and I'm excited to try again tomorrow. I have no idea what is
wrong with me!? ...I've been mentally
preparing myself for the physical switch - so quite possibly I'm just
ready and this is it..."
My lingering negativity from my morning run immediately disappeared. This woman did something that in her world was ridiculously crazy, and she was so determined and excited to get up the next morning and do it again! If she could approach a morning jog with that zest and enthusiasm, well then I could probably drag my ass out of bed and try run club again. In my response to her I talked about seeing the beauty in moments when your
body surprises itself. It's like God's little way of saying, "You've
got this. Trust me." A good reminder that we are capable of so much more
than we often give ourselves credit for. My friend's email was what I needed to shift my perspective, set my ego aside and tell myself, "You've got this."
That trail run was a lesson in patience, perseverance and
humility. I can rock a boxing class and be at the top of the group but
stepping back and not being the best in the pack is an amazing place to
be as well. It was an opportunity to hang back and recognize the amazing
skills and strength of all the others running with me. To give them an opportunity to lift me up and empower me to do something ridiculous.
I may take a week off to recover. But I will certainly be back. I do only have this one, wild, and precious life after all. Tell me, what do you plan to do with yours?
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| Clockwise, from top left: Hyland Hills Ski Slope, The Amazing Lululemon-MOA Trail Run Club, the view from the slopes, Allen, leading the way! |
